Virginia Film Festival

It is our pleasure to submit a grant application to the NEA Grants for Arts Projects: Media Arts track in support of the 38th annual Virginia Film Festival to be held in the fall of 2025. As described in our project narrative, the NEA’s funding would support visiting guest artists’ stipends, travel, and accommodations as well as screening venue rental and associated costs. We describe in our grant application the deep impact this funding will have on guest artists’ involvement in the VAFF and on our engagement with community members. Below you will find links to three additional work samples that we hope will further illuminate what makes our film festival and our guests’ experience so unique.

Thank you for your consideration!

Photo Description: Composer and recording artist Jon Batiste on stage at The Paramount Theater after the screening of the documentary American Symphony on Sunday, October 29. Photo by Tristan Williams.

Click below to view an A-Z archive list of our most recent 3 years of Festival programs. Links within these pages will take you to view descriptions of films and guests featured at each of the 3 Festivals. 

• 2023 Festival Program Archive
• 2022 Festival Program Archive
• 2021 Festival Program Archive

Photo Description: Producer Paul Garnes; director, producer, and writer Ava DuVernay; and critic Ann Hornaday (Washington Post) (L to R) on stage at The Paramount Theater after the U.S. Premiere of Origin on Friday, October 27. Photo by Eze Amos.

Click below to read our 2022-2023 Annual Report which summarizes the success, scope, and diversity of our 36th annual Virginia Film Festival, held October 25-29, 2023.

Photo Description:Writer Nayna Agrawal; script and production development specialist Rebe Malaret; and producer Julia Pontecorvo (L to R) on stage at the Irving Theater in the CODE Building for the Making It – Film Industry Career Panel on Saturday, October 28. Photo by Tristan Williams.

Click below to view a curated collection of interviews that illuminate the reach and impact the Virginia Film Festival has and continues to have on its communities.

Photo Description:Writers and co-directors Gina Gammell and Riley Keough in a private conversation with UVA filmmaking students on Saturday, October 28. Photo by Jack Looney.